Fifty

Today is our 50^th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe my wife and I were married fifty years ago on June 4, 1971. Several thoughts run through my mind as I reflect on those numbers.

First, I am thankful we made it to our 50^th anniversary. We have been on a 15 year journey with my wife’s breast cancer. There have been several times when we did not think we would make it to 50 years of marriage. But God has been gracious to restrain the progress of this disease and extend her life. New medicines have proven effective and the prayers of many people have sustained us on this journey. The cancer is not gone but recent test results have been encouraging.

Second, I am thankful for our family. A young twenty-year old couple got married 50 years ago. Fifty years later we have four adult children, three sons-in-lawn, one daughter-in-law and ten grandchildren. We have gone from a family of two to a family of twenty! Pretty amazing!

Third, I am thankful for the friends and extended family members who have touched our lives. There are too many to name but we are so grateful for older adults who mentored us and encouraged us. And we are thankful for younger couples and individuals our own age who have enriched our lives in many different ways. God has put special people in our path as we raised our families and encouraged one another.

Fourth, I am thankful for all the adventures my wife and I have shared together. We have been able to travel together and serve together in many parts of the world. When our children were young our adventures were camping in the mountains and trips to the beach. We smile as we remember trips to San Diego and Disneyland. We drove across the country and saw many memorable sites. As they grew older they found careers that they enjoyed and a spouse to start their own family with.

We don’t know what the coming months and years will hold. We have more things that we would like to do together. Every day is a gift from God. There is a verse in the Bible that we selected as a theme for our marriage. It says, “O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). Let me encourage you to take time to reflect on your past and continue to make plans for your future. Give thanks to God for his blessings and ask Him to give you more adventures to enjoy. You will be glad you did and your spouse will too!   

You can read more articles and stories by the author – one for every day of the year in the author’s book – Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The cost is only $20 (plus $5 postage).Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.